My mom bought a chevy truck, How can you tell if it's a V8 or V6 engine?

Question

The sales person told her it was a V8 But I think it's a V6 because it runs slower than a V8 would. And in the owners manual we looked to see if it was a V8 but it doesn't say if it is. How can you find out on your own. Right now we can't go to a mechanic and ask it's very late. Please help were can we check if it is a V8 or V6?

One other thing I noticed On the contract they gave her were it says info on what she purchased it says a number under cylinders "174" what does that mean?

Answer 1

The easiest way is to look under the hood for round object with large wires coming out of the top (the distributor cap). It will have either 9 or 7 wires. (If it's 9, then the engine is a V8. If it has 7 wires it's a V6.)

Here is a distributor cap (without the wires). This one is for a 8 Cylinder engine. http://www.lectriclimited.com/miscellaneous.htm

Here is one for a 6 Cylinder engine: http://www.trustmymechanic.com/parts_gallery/distributor_cap.htm

Although this one is only for a 4 cylinder (it has 5 wires), here's a picture of a distributor cap with the wires installed...to give you an idea of what you're looking for. (It's the dark red round object just below the long, bright red valve cover) http://webpages.charter.net/eighmy/spitfire/img/79spitfire_0005_1.jpg

Answer 2

Open the hood look for items in multiples of 6 or 8. look on top of engine for intake runners, or fuel injectors. Look on sides of engine for spark plug wires, exhaust manifolds don't remove anything. If possible ask a neighbor for help, or stop at a service station. I have had 4 cylinder engines that ran better than 8's.

Answer 3

Under the hood, on top of the radiator, in plain site you should see a sticker that has engine information on it. If it says 4.3 liter, its a v6. If it says a number higher than that its a v8. 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 are all Chevy V8's. 4.3 is the only V6.

Answer 4

"International Dave", piss off with your pro-life propaganda. It's obvious you're trying to force someone into YOUR choice. Abortion can be a suitable solution to pregnancies like these. 12 is a ridiculous age to even THINK about giving birth. She probably never had the right sex education and didn't realise what she was getting into until it was too late. You're a child at 12, one who is easily influenced and scared by others. Why do you want this little girl's life to be over at 12? She's a child herself. The fetus can't even feel any pain at this point. It's just an unformed bunch of cells with no capacity to even think. You make me sick, "Dave". She's a child, and forcing her to give birth will destroy her life. You can make your own judgement when you get pregnant - but oh, wait, you're a man. You'll never have to make that choice. Let girls have control over their own bodies. You have absolutely no rights over it.

Answer 5

under the hood,or possibly long the front support,should be a sticker that'll tell you the displacement of the engine. use this number it'll be something like whatever.whatever. use this number to determine what size engine you have, you can also use the cars vin code.the owners manual will have the information in there

Answer 6

look at the amount of space between the radiator and the puleys with the sepentine belt going around them. If you could almost get in there or if a small child could stand in this space it is a V-6, and if not then it is a V-8

Answer 7

open the hood and count the spark plugs on each side . If there are six plugs then it is V6 and like wise

Answer 8

open the hood and look at the engine. it says right there on the engine and if not does it look like it has 3 or 4 pistons on each side.

Answer 9

it could run slower than you think it should because of the rear gear , transmission or weight of the vehicle compared to another V8 you've been in

Answer 10

Count the spark plugs!